Links Hill and North Denes

Out today with Suffolk Wildlife and the COD team. Great group of youngsters from Denes High School. Set them a task of orienteering around the cliff. Good see kids who education find it difficult with using the greatest ability they have. Enthusiasm.

On arrival there where three MED GULLS two of which where colour rung. These birds where together, adult and rung as E861 and 8T21 this birds ring was damaged and so could read BT21. which I doubt.

There was a flock of 20 LINNET which with REDWING and FIELDFARE where roving about. These birds where interspersed with LAPWING which have been forced onto the coast by the extremity of the weather. Several crows about, but in view that one was eating the yellow stuff that has turned up on the foreshore it makes you wonder if they will not suffer for it. The environment agency has made a statement that it is none hazardous. What ever that means. So why have the coast guards got surfers out of the water.



Ness and Nicholas Everit Park

A single REDWING was feeding close to the car park under vegetation. It was also being harried by a Blackbird that did not appreciate it on its patch. I also had  a FIELDFARE fly over the house this morning. The only other thing of interest was the white rung HERRING GULL from yesterday turned up.
Found a BRAMBLING for just a very short time, was reluctant to give a good view. But also COAL TIT, BLUE TIT AND GREAT TIT.

Ness Point, Lowestoft.

Spent at least an hour standing in the cold, but then it wasn't that bad. If it had of been I would have been home like a shot.

 

Best bird was a swim by of a SLAVONIAN GREBE. The bird was about two thirds the way out to the left continental buoy. Swimming and diving on the way south. Was a sure sighting and I have had no hesitation in logging it. I watched the bird for about 3 minuets, but then when I called it in I lost sight. How bad is that? Several MED GULLS and RED-THROATED DIVER  north as well as a great adult GANNET flying north. So close to the water, flying through the troughs of the waves. I also picked up on a male EIDER flying north as well as 5 BRENT GEESE flying in the opposite direction. I picked up on two HERRING gulls colour rings. The red one still remains unidentifiable but I managed to get hold of the other one right leg white A65T.

It was so cold and poor little bunny-kins was eating evergreen bushes.

Home

 

Well the winter has set in well and birds are few and far between. But of course this weather also brings some surprises, especially in regards to the garden. So this bird turned up. Not the first time seen in the garden, but at least this Meadow pipit was here for a distinct reason. He had come across some food on the ground and was intent on feeding.
 
Meadow Pipit

 

Tramps Alley and Ness

To cold ?  At tramps a single Med Gull and a SPARROW HAWK high searching for feed on the beach. Other than that the usual stuff with a pair of CARRION CROW.
As for the Ness very cold: But did manage a fly through GREEN SAND. Also feeding on shore was the usual reported white rings Herring Gull, but also a Red rung bird as well.

Fisher Row

Walk out on the wild side with 4 inches of snow and a blustery east wind. What can you say. Mind you well wrapped up and warm.
Up to 20 SNIPE in the air today, with around the same in LAPWING the flock could not make up its mind where to land. I also had three KESTREL and about 7 MEADOW PIPIT and a flock of 25 GOLDFINCH. The REDWINGS that where about were very quick to move and would fly close in on the way through. Other than that a pair of EGYPTIAN GEESE and flock of 50 WIGEON on the Waveney River.

Leath's Ham and Lake Loathingland.

Took the car in to sort out wheel hub bearing. Then walked on through up to Lake Loathingland. Best bird was a KINGFISHER which had taken to hanging around the yacht basin. The bird was very agile and no chance of getting anywhere near it. There where about 10 LITTLE GREBE floating around in small groups of up to 3. Also one REDSHANK with COOTE in the same area. GREENFINCH 4 SONG THRUSH 2 as well as plenty of BLACKBIRDS. A pair of EGYPTIAN GEESE had taken up residence near the toilets to yacht station as well.
At Leathe's there was several PINTAIL and SHOVELORE out on the ice with GADWALL and MALLARD as well as TUFTED DUCK, WIGEON. One KESTREL kept annoying everything. The usual TIT population as well as a flock of 7 GOLDFINCH which seem in short supply this year.